[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-26":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hong Kong 1984",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2223689,4066,"Chapter 26: New Album","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-26",26,"\u003Cp>A few days later, inside the Shaw Building, morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the recording studio. Xiang Qian sat before the piano, his slender fingers dancing across the black and white keys. Zhou Huimin stood nearby, holding a lyric book and softly humming along to the melody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make that turn slightly softer,\" Xiang Qian stopped playing, looked up at her, and said, \"Like this—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He demonstrated once more, his voice low and gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's eyes lit up: \"I understand!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the studio door was pushed open. Sun Li strode in quickly, her high heels clicking: \"Qian-zi! Ah Min! You started this early?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian closed the piano lid: \"Sister Sun, I actually have something to discuss with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li raised an eyebrow: \"What matter is so serious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The new album,\" Xiang Qian said, pulling two thick folders from his bag. \"The songs for me and Ah Min are all written.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" Sun Li's eyes widened. \"It's only been a few days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin smiled as she handed over the folders: \"Qian-zi has barely slept these past few days; he wrote fourteen songs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li opened the first folder. The first page read \"Rebirth\"—Xiang Qian's new album tracklist:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. \"You Make Me Happy, You Make Me Sad\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. \"Scoundrel\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. \"Crossing the Ocean to See You\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>4. \"Huo Yuanjia\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>5. \"Red Sun\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>6. \"Water of Forgetfulness\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>7. \"The Moment of Waking from a Dream\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flipping open the other folder revealed Zhou Huimin's tracklist, but the album title space remained blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Min's album title hasn't been decided yet?\" Sun Li asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian nodded: \"Let her decide herself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li scanned the sheet music quickly, her eyes widening further with each page: \"Qian-zi, did you... write all of these in just a few days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li shook her head in admiration: \"A genius is truly a genius... Ah Min, what about your songs? Which one is your favorite?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's eyes curved into crescents: \"'A Love for Life.' The lyrics are exceptionally beautiful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li made the call: \"Then what are we waiting for? Let's start recording!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian walked toward the control console: \"Today, we'll record 'You Make Me Happy, You Make Me Sad' and 'A Love for Life' first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin seemed a bit nervous: \"Should I... go first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian handed her a bottle of water: \"Don't be nervous; just sing like we did during practice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The music began. Zhou Huimin stood before the microphone and closed her eyes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The past is gone, never to return,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red leaves lie buried deep in the dust...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her clear voice flowed like a spring, prompting Sun Li in the control room to instinctively give a thumbs-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they reached the chorus, Xiang Qian suddenly joined in with harmony vocals:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The bitter sea churns up waves of love,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, fate is hard to escape...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices blended perfectly. Sun Li slapped the table in excitement: \"Excellent! That's exactly the feeling!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the first take, Zhou Huimin ran into the control room, her small face flushed: \"How was it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li hugged her tightly: \"Perfect! It could definitely win a Golden Melody Award!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian, however, frowned: \"Your breath was a bit unstable in the second chorus. Let's do it again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin stuck out her tongue: \"Alright...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li teased: \"Qian-zi, you're being too strict.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because she can be better,\" Xiang Qian said, gazing softly at the girl in the recording booth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it was Xiang Qian's turn, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the piano intro faded, his hoarse yet deeply emotional voice instantly filled the entire space:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Love reaches its end, spilled water cannot be gathered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Love lingers, resentment lingers...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin listened entranced from the control room, whispering to Sun Li: \"Every time I hear him sing, I get goosebumps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li nodded: \"With a voice like that, you won't find a second one in the entire music scene.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At lunchtime, the three sat in the restaurant outside the studio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While cutting her steak, Sun Li asked: \"Qian-zi, why is the album called 'Rebirth'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian swirled his glass of red wine: \"Because this marks my musical rebirth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin asked curiously: \"Then what should my album be called?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever you like,\" Xiang Qian smiled. \"This is your story.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li joked: \"How about 'Songs Qian-zi Wrote for Me'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Sun!\" Zhou Huimin's face turned crimson with embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning serious, Sun Li asked: \"Honestly, where did the inspiration for these songs come from? Lyrics like those in 'Crossing the Ocean to See You' couldn't be written without experiencing them, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian's gaze drifted into the distance: \"I've seen them in dreams.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin explained softly: \"Qian-zi says he often has the same dream, featuring a vast ocean and partings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li pondered: \"No wonder the lyrics possess such vivid imagery...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finish recording within two weeks,\" Xiang Qian said, putting down his napkin. \"Release early next month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Li calculated aloud, \"That means the promotion period will coincide exactly with the Golden Melody Awards nominations... By the way, how do you plan to shoot the music videos?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For 'Huo Yuanjia,' I want to ask Cheng Long for help,\" Xiang Qian said, having already made up his mind. \"The others should be simpler, highlighting the music itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin raised her hand. \"Can I be the female lead in 'Crossing the Ocean to See You'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian arched an eyebrow. \"Aren't you already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After dinner, Sun Li left first. Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin walked side by side along the Avenue of Stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian-zi,\" Zhou Huimin said, suddenly stopping in her tracks, \"thank you for writing so many wonderful songs for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian ruffled her hair. \"Silly girl, what is there to thank me for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I still want to know,\" Zhou Huimin said, lifting her face, \"in 'A Love for a Lifetime,' that line 'Though we love each other, we cannot draw near'—does it mean...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian did not answer; he simply pulled her gently into his embrace. In the distance, the lights of Weiduoliyagang reflected on the sea surface, like scattered stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later, cheers erupted from the recording studio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's a wrap!\" Sun Li exclaimed, raising a bottle of champagne high. \"Both albums are fully recorded!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff clapped in celebration. Standing in a corner, Xiang Qian watched Zhou Huimin surrounded by everyone, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His rebirth, her new beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And all of this was just getting started.\u003C\u002Fp>",1089,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","57a4af63f1b89e4794859e08cfa438870a0421a4ff75b2460fd05ed4f0d46b63","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-27","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-25",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]